BETHANY, Okla. – Oklahoma City University slips up against Southwestern Christian 105-70 defeat on Tuesday night in Pickens-Springer Gym.
Eric McCollum powered the Stars scoring 10 points, grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out three assists. The loss is the first 30-point defeat since losing to then No. 1 Columbia in the NAIA tournament on March 13, 2013.
Oklahoma City, ranked 12th in NAIA Division I men's basketball, falls to 8-5, 3-3 in Sooner Athletic Conference play and Southwestern Christian improved to 9-5, 4-2 in the SAC.
The Stars had four players finish with double figures in the scoring column, but were unable to slow down the high-powered Southwestern Christian offense. Joe Clarke, Anthony Davis and Chris Williams each tallied 12 points. Clarke, a senior from New Rochelle, N.Y., added three steals, three blocks, three assists and three rebounds. Davis, a junior from Lewisville, Texas, chipped in five boards, two steals and an assist. Williams, a senior from Denver, Colo., added two rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Neither team was able to create much separation in the first 10 minutes of Tuesday's contest, until Southwestern Christian's Jack Fritsche caught fire and ignited his team on a 9-2 run to give the Eagles a 34-23 lead with 7:45 left in the first half. OCU had no answer for Fritsche, as he had 12 of his 18 points in the game's first 20 minutes.
The Stars headed into the break shooting 57.7 percent from the floor and 25 percent from deep, while Southwestern Christian shot 53.1 percent from the floor and 47.6 percent from downtown.
Oklahoma City was unable to get the game within single digits, allowing the Eagles to finish the game 59.3 percent from the floor and 53.6 percent from beyond the arc making 15-of-28 3-pointers.
Despite the loss, OCU led Southwestern Christian in points in the paint (52-36) and second chance points (10-6). The Stars also outrebounded their opponent 30-28.
The Stars return to action at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday against Wayland Baptist at Abe Lemons Arena.